Chrysanthemum plant named &#39;MOZA SI 01&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant variety characterized by a pink/white color ray florets, consistent flowering response to short days, blooming consistently after 49 days of short day length, small foliage, long lasting blooms, and consistent natural season flowering habit during late September.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum plant, botanically known as Dendranthema morifolium andherein after referred to by the cultivar name ‘MOZA SI 01.’

[0002] This new cultivar originated from hybridization of a femaleparent Chrysanthemum cultivar (unpatented in the United States) and amale parent Chrysanthemum cultivar (unpatented in the United States).The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in November 1998.

[0003] Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by apical tip cuttingand meristem tissue culture was performed in Oxnard, Calif. and hasshown that the unique features of this new cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE IVENTION

[0004] The cultivar ‘MOZA SI 01’ has not been observed under allpossible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

[0005] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be the unique characteristics of ‘MOZA SI 01.’ Thesecharacteristics in combination distinguish ‘MOZA SI 01’ as a new anddistinct Chrysanthemum:

[0006] 1. Pink/white color ray florets;

[0007] 2. Consistent flowering response to short days, bloomingconsistently after 49 days of short day length;

[0008] 3. Small foliage;

[0009] 4. Long lasting blooms; and

[0010] 5. Consistent natural season flowering habit during lateSeptember.

[0011] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the femaleparent cultivar in most horticultural characteristics, however plants ofthe new cultivar differed from plants of the female parent cultivar inthe following characteristics:

[0012] 1. The new cultivar has different color ray florets;

[0013] 2. The new cultivar has a smaller diameter bloom;

[0014] 3. The new cultivar is shorter; and

[0015] 4. The new cultivar has a shorter internode length.

[0016] Plants of the new cultivar are similar to plants of the maleparent cultivar in most horticultural characteristics, however plants ofthe new cultivar differed from plants of the male parent cultivar in thefollowing characteristics:

[0017] 1. The new cultivar is taller;

[0018] 2. The new cultivar has a larger bloom diameter; and

[0019] 3. The new cultivar naturally blooms 2 weeks later.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

[0020] The photograph shows a close up view of the flowers and buds ofthe new cultivar.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

[0021] In the following description, color references are made to TheRoyal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in a commercial filed on Oxnard,Calif. in the month of September 2000. The growing conditions range from60° to 65° F. at night to 70° to 85° during the day. Measurements andnumerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

[0022] Botanical classification: Dendranthema morifolium cultivar ‘MOZASI 01’

[0023] Commercial classification: Garden-type Chrysanthemum

[0024] Parentage: Hybridization of a female parent Chrysanthemumcultivar (unpatented in the United States) and a male parentChrysanthemum cultivar (unpatented in the United States).

[0025] Propagation

[0026]Time to rooting.—7 to 14 days at approximately 21° C.

[0027]Rooting habit.—Fine, fibrous

[0028] Plant

[0029]Growth habit.—Mounding herbaceous perennial

[0030]Height.—Approximately 24 cm

[0031]Growth rate.—Moderate

[0032]Branching characteristics.—Moderate Branching

[0033]Length of lateral branches.—Approximately 19 cm

[0034]Number of leaves per lateral branch.—Approximately 17

[0035]Stem color.—Near 137B

[0036] Foliage

[0037]Leaf.—Arrangement: Alternate single Average Length: Approximately5.3 cm Average Width: Approximately 3.2 cm Shape of blade: Ovate Apex:Acuminate Base: Attenuate Attachment: Stalked Margin: Serrate Texture oftop surface: Lightly pubescent Texture of bottom surface: Lightlypubescent Color: young foliage upper side: Near 137A young foliage underside: Near 137C mature foliage upper side: Near 137A mature foliageunder side: Near 137B venation upper side: Near 138B venation underside: Near 137C

[0038]Petiole.—Average Length: Approximately 1.8 cm

[0039] Bloom

[0040]Inflorescence.—Flowering habit: Induced by darkness period greaterthan 13.5 hours, approximately 49 days of appropriate day lengthrequired to induce and develop blooms Inflorescence form: Daisy Naturalflowering season: Approximately the last two weeks in September Numberof inflorescences per stem: Approximately 15 Inflorescence diameter:Approximately 3.7 cm Inflorescence depth: Approximately 2.0 cmInflorescence longevity on plant: Approximately 24-29 days Persistence:Persistent

[0041]Ray Florets.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Smooth Average Number perflower: Approximately 240 Shape: Oblanceolate Margin: Entire Apex:Obtuse Length: Approximately 1.8 cm Width: Approximately 0.6 cm Color:upper surface atfirst opening: Near 59C upper surface at maturity: Near59D at the tip; Near 36D at the base upper surface atfading: Near 73C atthe tip; Near 155D at the base under surface at first opening: Near 54Aunder surface at maturity: Near 63C at the tip; Near 62D at the baseunder surface at fading: Near 70D at the tip; Near 155D at the base

[0042]Disc florets.—Appearance: Shiny Texture: Smooth Average numberperflower: Approximately 130 Shape: Cylindric Apex: Obtuse AverageLength: Approximately 0.8 cm Average Width: Approximately 0.1 cm Color:at first opening: Near 14B at maturity: Near 15A at fading: Near 17A

[0043]Peduncle.—Length: at terminal end (shortest): Approximately 4 cmat lateral end (longest): Approximately 6 cm Strength: Moderate Color:Near 137B Habit: Erect

[0044]Inflorescence bud.—Length: Approximately 0.6 cm Diameter:Approximately 0.6 cm Form: Globular Color: Near 54A

[0045]Sepals.—Appearance: Matte Texture: Lightly pubescent Number:Approximately 30 to 40 Shape: Ovate Margin: Entire Apex: Acute Color:upper side: Near 137A underside: Near 137A

[0046] Reproductive organs

[0047]Ray florets.—Pistillate: Number of pistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: 2 branched Stigma color: Near 10A Style color: Near 8D Stylelength: Approximately 0.5 cm

[0048]Disc florets.—Pistillate: Number ofpistils per flower: 1 Stigmashape: Cylindric Style length: Approximately 0.3 cm Staminate: Numberofstamens perflower: Approximately 5 Anther shape: Tubular Anther color:Near 13A Pollen color: Near 15A

[0049] Other Characteristics

[0050]Disease resistance.—Neither resistance nor susceptibility observed‘MOZA SI 01’: Table of R.H.S. Color Codes FOLIAGE Leaf young foliageupper surface Near 137A young foliage under surface Near 137C maturefoliage upper surface Near 137A mature foliage under surface Near 137Bvenation upper surface Near 138B venation under surface Near 137C BLOOMRay Florets upper surface at first opening Near 59C upper surface atmaturity, tip Near 59D upper surface at maturity, base Near 36D uppersurface at fading, tip Near 73C upper surface at fading, base Near 155Dunder surface at first opening Near 54A under surface at maturity, tipNear 63C under surface at maturity, base Near 62D under surface atfading, tip Near 70D under surface at fading, base Near 155D Pistillate:Stigma Near 10A Pistillate: Style Near 8D Disc Florets at first openingNear 14B at maturity Near 15A at fading Near 17A Staminate: Anther Near13A Staminate: Pollen Near 13A Peduncle Near 137B Inflorescence Near 54ABud Sepals upper surface Near 137A under surface Near 137A

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Chrysanthemum plantnamed ‘MOZA SI 01’ as herein illustrated and described.